Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek
Monday, December 31, 2007
The 2009 Corvette ZR1
Kicking Tires informs that the 2009 Corvette ZR1:
Looks like: Mattel added some flair to a Corvette
Drivetrain: 620-hp, supercharged 6.2-liter V-8, six-speed manual transmission, rear-wheel drive
Hits dealerships: Sometime in 2008
The ZR1’s basic stats:
- All-new LS9 supercharged 6.2L V-8 targeted at producing at least 100 horsepower per liter, or 620 horsepower (462 kW), and approximately 595 lb.-ft. of torque (823 Nm)
- Six-speed, close-ratio, race-hardened manual transmission
- New, high-capacity dual-disc clutch
- Higher-capacity and specific-diameter axle half-shafts; enhanced torque tube
- Specific suspension tuning provides more than 1g cornering grip
- Twenty-spoke 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels
- Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires - P285/30ZR19 in front and P335/25ZR20 in the rear - developed specifically for the ZR1
- Standard carbon-ceramic, drilled disc brake rotors - 15.5-inch-diameter (394-mm) in the front and 15-inch-diameter (380-mm) in the rear
- Larger brake calipers with substantially increased pad area
- Standard Magnetic Selective Ride Control with track-level suspension
- Wider, carbon-fiber front fenders with ZR1-specific dual vents
- Carbon-fiber hood with a raised, polycarbonate window - offering a view of the intercooler below it
- Carbon-fiber roof panel, roof bow, front fascia splitter and rocker moldings with clear-coated, exposed carbon-fiber weave
- ZR1-specific full-width rear spoiler with raised outboard sections
- Specific gauge cluster with boost gauge (also displayed on the head-up display) and 220-mph (370 km/h) speedometer readout
- Only two options: chrome wheels and a “luxury” package
- Curb weight of approximately 3,350 pounds (1,519 kg)
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The Top Worst Cars On The Market
1. Cadillac XLR
January to October '07 sales: 1,525
Vs. January to October '06: down 42.7%
2. Mazda B-Series
January to October '07 sales: 2,363
Vs. January to October '06: Down 35.3%
3. Isuzu Ascender
January to October '07 sales: 2,523
Vs. January to October '06: Down 40.3%
4. Jaguar X-Type
January to October '07 sales: 2,599
Vs. January to October '06: Down 44.2%
5. Jaguar S-Type
January to October '07 sales: 2,973
Vs. January to October '06: Down 44.3%
It was really disappointing that the worst selling car goes to a General Motors model - the Cadillac XLR. But at least it wasn’t from Volvo which is wearing the Volvo 760 radiator. Following the lead spot was the Mazda B-Series and with the Isuzu Ascender on the third spot completing the two Japanese cars on the list. Two Jaguar cars such as Jaguar X-Type and Jaguar S-Type complete the top five list.
Now you know which car is not hot.
5 Stars For The 2008 Mercedes Benz C-Class
The all-new and the hottest Mercedes-Benz C-Class passed the European NCAP (New Car Assessment Programme) crash tests with an exceptional rating! The smooth saloon vehicle was awarded five stars. In addition to this, the Euro-NCAP organization declared that the 2008 C-Class is one of the safest cars offered in various dealerships.
According to my source, the outcome of the test confirms that the C-Class safety concept is inspired by the study of real-life accidents. The C-Class performs tremendously great in standardized rating crash tests.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Cars For Students
Do you find it hard to find the right car for your teens? Or if you are a student, is choosing the most suitable car a pain in the neck?Well, not to worry. About.com has shared its top 10 cars for students. Here’s the list:
1. Ford Focus ZX3
The Focus is one of my favorite small cars. Designed in Europe, it's roomy, cheap to run and a lot of fun to drive. The sporty ZX3 3-door hatchback will probably have the most appeal for young folks; it's good looking, easy to park, and has plenty of room in the back seat to haul friends.
2. Honda Civic
The Civic is easy to drive, extremely fuel efficient, will last forever if well cared for, and boasts an admirable commitment to safety: Antilock brakes, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all models.
3. Honda Fit
When I was in college, small Honda Civic hatchbacks were the cars to have. Today the Civic has moved on to bigger and better things, and the hatchbacks are gone; they have been replaced (in spirit, that is) by the Fit.
4. Kia Optima
Not all students are single teens; many have families of their own. For them, the Kia Optima is a great choice; it has all the room and amenities of mainstream Japanese sedans, but it's significantly cheaper to buy and run.
5. Mazda 3
The Mazda 3 is cool to look at, great to drive, and available in both sedan and mini-wagon body styles. It has all the reliability you'd expect from a Japanese car with a bit more pizzazz.
6. Nissan Versa
Several excellent subcompacts have hit the market recently, and the Nissan Versa is one of my favorites for two reasons: Lots of space and lots of value. The former comes in handy for hauling a semester's worth of stuff to school (as does the fact that the Versa is available as both a hatchback and a sedan) as well as for hauling friends to off-campus excursions.
7. Pontiac G5
The G5 coupe is mechanically identical to the Chevrolet Cobalt, but its unique sheetmetal gives it a smidge more style. The G5 is inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to run, and is an easy car to drive thanks largely to its simple, distraction-free interior. Side airbags are available as an option; don't buy a G5 without them.
8. Subaru Impreza 2.5i
The Subaru Impreza 2.5i is the only car in its class to offer standard all-wheel-drive (AWD) -- an important and oft-overlooked safety feature that not only offers great foul-weather handling (a boon for kids raised in the sun belt going to school in the rust belt) but also helps keep the car on course in a panic swerve when the roads are dry.
9. Suzuki SX4
Suzuki's pint-sized SX4 is built in Japan, yet it offers a value-for-money equation similar to its Korean rivals. Not only is the SX4 the cheapest all-wheel-drive car you can buy, but it offers four-wheel antilock disc brakes, side airbags, CD/MP3 player and power everything for well under $16,000.
10. Toyota Corolla
If conservative clothes are more your style, the Corolla is a good choice; its grown-up image will serve its owner well through school, the job hunt, and the beginnings of a career.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Audi To Unleash Product Avalanche Through 2012
Not only will Audi’s entire line be redesigned or refreshed through 2012, but it is planning to fill in a number of perceived gaps in its product portfolio with a variety of intriguing new models, from an all-new A1 minicar to a pricey R8 Targa, said Edmunds.com.
So what are the forthcoming awesome cars from the automaker?
Inside Line has gathered the following chronology and details on the company's impending introductions.
A1: The all-new minicar, based on VW's MQB transverse front-drive global platform, goes into production in late 2009. It will be based loosely on the Audi Metroproject Quattro concept that was revealed in late October at the Tokyo auto show and will be offered in three- and five-door hatchback styles. An A1 Cabrio will follow in fall 2011.
A3: Audi has just released the first official images of the new A3 Cabrio that goes on sale in Europe next spring. The A3 hatchback receives a modest face-lift at midyear, with a full redesign slated for fall 2010. It will share the MQB platform with the A1.
A4: The A4 sedan was redesigned several months ago. A new A4 wagon rolls out in spring. A midcycle face-lift is slated for early 2012.
A5: The recently released A5 coupe will be joined in early 2009 by an A5 Cabrio and in fall 2009 by an A5 Sportback. A high-performance RS5 is also in the pipeline for spring 2009.
A6: The next-generation A6 sedan isn't due until early 2011, followed by a redesigned A6 Avant in spring 2011.
A7: The all-new luxury four-door coupe — Audi's answer to the Mercedes-Benz CLS — debuts in fall 2009; a preview concept could be shown in New York next spring. Audi plans to add an A7 Cabrio in early 2010. Underpinnings will be shared with the A6.
A8: A full redesign of the A8 flagship sedan is slated for mid-2010.
TT: Two new performance editions are scheduled in the near future: a TT-S in fall 2008 and a 350-horsepower TT-RS in fall 2009. The TT-S will be previewed in January at the Detroit auto show.
R8: A high-performance V10 edition, sharing its power plant with the Lamborghini Gallardo, arrives next fall, followed in 2009 by a new R8 Targa with a removable roof.
Q3: Audi's smallest crossover vehicle is penciled in for mid-2009. A hybrid variant could follow in 2012.
Q5: The new midsize, five-passenger Q5 will reach dealers in mid-2008, followed by a Q5 Hybrid in early 2010. A Porsche companion will be badged Roxster.
Q7: The first of Audi's gas-electric crossovers, the Q7 Hybrid, goes on sale in late 2008.
Sunday, December 16, 2007
China Unleashes Its Own Hybrid Car
China's state-owned Chang'an Automobile group has started making its own hybrid cars, the first such move by a Chinese automaker, the Xinhua news agency reported.
Mass production of the Chinese-designed car, which consumes 20 percent less fuel than ordinary cars of the same size, was launched after six years of research and development, Xinhua said.
"This shows Chinese automakers have grasped the core technology of making hybrid cars," the report said, adding that Chang'an will donate 10 such vehicles for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Chang'an group, a Chinese partner of Ford Motor Co. and Mazda Motor Corp. The listed arm, based in the southwestern city of Chongqing, is also China's largest mini-van maker.
Demand for hybrid cars is negligible in China, where petrol is subsidized and the impact of polluting factories on local neighborhoods is more the focus of environmentalists than larger issues such as global warming, according to Reuters.
Fuel economy figures little in consumers' purchasing decisions in China. Hybrid cars are also expensive since the government offers buyers no incentives to purchase them.
Toyota Motor Corp. was the first carmaker to build hybrid cars in China. General Motors Corp said last month it would begin producing a hybrid car in China from next year, in time for the Beijing Olympics in August.
Japan's Nikkei said the hybrid vehicle made by Chang'an is based on a 2-liter compact wagon that will be able to travel 100 kilometers (62 miles) on 6.8 liters of gasoline, and it will be officially released next year.
The new hybrid is close in size to Toyota's Prius hybrid, which the Japanese automaker has assembled and sold in China since late 2005, the Nikkei said.
Chinese sales of the Toyota hybrid were down 86 percent in the first 10 months of 2007 from the same period a year earlier to 299 units, as the vehicle's 300,000 yuan ($40,700) price tag dampened its popularity, it said.
Changan's new offering will cost around 150,000 yuan, roughly 20,000 yuan more than the base vehicle but just half as much as the Prius, the Nikkei said.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
NAIAS To Positively Impact Michigan Economy
Michigan is known for its automakers. The Big Three, al resides in Michigan and unfortunately, all of them have had bad years as the competition gets hotter and Japanese automakers seems to be enjoying the most success these days. Luckily for the state, an event will positively impact their economy.
The North American International Auto Show is considered to be one of the most important motor shows in the world. The 2008 installment of the event is expected to create an economic impact amounting to $500 million according to a report by The Auto Channel.
David Sowerby, C.F.A. portfolio manager and chief market analyst for Loomis Sayles & Co had this to say: "The NAIAS is consistently a major contributor to business activity in Detroit due to the amount of time spent on its extensive set-up and execution from late October to early February. Although consumer confidence, spending and travel are less robust due to the higher energy costs, challenges facing the housing market and the downturn in sub prime mortgages, the NAIAS will continue to deliver more than 13,000 jobs to Michigan."
The contributors to that economic impact are the following:
- In 2008, the motor vehicle industry is again unveiling more than 50 new models only at the NAIAS.
- Ticket sales for NAIAS 2008 Public Days, Industry Days and the Charity Preview are running well in spite of the challenging issues that confront the industry and Michigan's economy
- Local area personal income growth is currently growing at a 3.0-3.5 percent pace. The rate of growth in personal income has a high correlation with the anticipated total economic benefit gains for the auto show and details why revenues should be stable versus last year.
Carl Galeana, senior co-chairman for NAIAS 2008 said: "We are truly proud the NAIAS brings jobs and much-needed income to Michigan. We know that in addition to the union workers, electricians, stagehands and many exhibit companies that put the show together, metro Detroit restaurants, hotels and attractions rely on the NAIAS annually for an influx of revenue in January."
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
High-end Partnership
Say you have an Aston Martin in your garage, what audio system would you definitely have in it? Chances are, a high end car audio system will be already installed in there. We all know that Aston Martin is one of the most popular high-end vehicles in the world. With the virtue of its appearance as James Bond's automaker of choice, its popularity has increased tenfold.
Recently, the high end automaker announced that they would partner with Bang & Olufsen, the Danish provider of high end audio and video products. The partnership of these two companies known to deliver upscale products will no doubt revolutionize the way we see car audio systems. With both of the companies' expertise poured in to the partnership, I am sure that Aston Martin vehicles will become even more valuable.
Dr. Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin's Chief Executive Officer had this to say: "Without technological innovation, neither Aston Martin nor Bang & Olufsen would have achieved the reputation they have today as leaders in both design and performance. Elegance and excellence go hand in hand, and designers, engineers and specialists in both companies will work closely together to achieve a benchmark result."
Meanwhile, Bang & Olufsen's Chief Executive Officer Torben Ballegard Sorensen said: "There are deep similarities between our cultures and heritages. Bang & Olufsen's values are rooted in passion and performance as well as design and craftsmanship, and these exact values are experienced in an Aston Martin."
Both companies have proven time and time again that they are wiling to push the boundaries of technology and creativity to come up with products which can be appreciated by their consumers. Although Aston Martin vehicles can be considered to be only for the privileged few, the partnership between the two companies could set a new trend.
New Testing Ground For Mazda
Japanese automaker Mazda recently announced that they have just completed the expansion of their Mine Proving Ground. No, they do not have a facility to test if their vehicles can withstand mines. It is called Mine proving Ground because it is located in Mine City, Yamauchi Prefecture in western Japan. The test ground was expanded so that they can better test their vehicles before they are mass produced and distributed around the world.
The Auto Channel reported that with the expansion, the Mine Proving Ground now has a skid pad. This will be used to test how good can a vehicle turn at a high speed. With the use of these tests, Mazda can develop even nimbler cars than what they have today. The testing ground also has a free flat course where the top speed of vehicles will be put to the test. A winding track is also added to the facility which will of course be used to determine how nimble Mazda cars are.
Among those present at the opening of the testing grounds are the mayor of Mine City, Mazda's senior executive officer in charge of R&D, Seita Kanai, and other Mazda officials.
Seita Kanai had this to say at the ceremony: "By completing these enhancements to the Mine Proving Ground we are now able to conduct more comprehensive testing to further improve the performance and safety levels of our vehicles. I am confident this will help us to enhance the desirability of Mazda’s cars. As we move forward, Mazda aims to harmonize driving pleasure with environmental and safety features and develop Zoom-Zoom car manufacturing as part of our efforts for a sustainable future. We will continue to offer cars that excite the senses and embody Mazda’s Zoom-Zoom promise that our vehicles ‘look inviting to drive, are fun to drive, and make you want to drive them again."
Friday, December 7, 2007
More Recalls For Ford
Another famous car maker is set to recall a huge number of 1.2 million cars because of faulty car parts.Before, we received news that Ford is going to recall a huge number of cars and now another recall of 1.2 million Ford trucks would have to be done because of the presence of faulty engine sensors that can be a cause for the diesel motor to suddenly stall which can lead to accidents.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration administers the recall and they posted the letter on their official website. The recall involves a huge amount of trucks made between 1997 and 2003 which includes F-Super Duty pickups, Excursion SUV and E-series vans. These following affected models all wear the 7.3 liter diesel engine.
The letter mentioned the effect of the faulty sensor to the trucks. The faulty engine stops the vehicle which causes some accidents. Ford reported 14 incidents of car accidents in connected with the installed engine. The trucks lost control because of it. Before the month ends, Ford will begin notifying customers to bring in their trucks for free repair.
If you have questions about the faulty parts, inquire with Joel J. Smith at (313) 222-2556 or jsmith@detnews.com.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
So You Think New Cars Are Green…
These past few months, we are bombarded with overwhelming releases about cars going green. This is why enthusiasts think the hottest new cars are green.But actually, they aren’t. Well, literally speaking. Again, you might say if isn’t green it must be silver. Yes, silver is the longest-running most popular color among cars. The reign is for an unprecedented 7 years!
Unfortunately, its reign has to end. Auto industry’s dominant color in the palette has to change in favor of… white.
"We're not surprised to see a proliferation of white/white pearl," Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute and author of "Color: Messages and Meanings, said in DuPont's entertaining Global Automotive Color Popularity Report. "It follows a global trend... where we're seeing a return to white as a clarifying agent before change, a color of purity and minimalism."
Consumers haven't decided on the Next Big Thing that is. DuPont said its research during the past five decades has shown white usually emerges as a favorite for a few a year or two between significant changes in market trends.
Wired News reports:
White is tops among new-car buyers in North America, Mexico and Japan, and Europeans still love black cars. But from a global perspective, the trend is shifting away from silver toward gray. We're not sure why - aside from the Audi TT, has a car ever looked good in gray?BASF says:
Silver gained popularity because it represented newness in the late 1990s and came to be associated with safety after the terror attacks of Sept. 11, said Karen Surcina, color marketing manager at DuPont. White, on the other hand, is pleasing to look at and allows consumers to take a breather before moving on to more vibrant colors.
To get a sense of what might be hot, designers - often called "coatings designers" in the paint biz - check out the latest trends in fashion, home decor and furniture design, and they must look several years into the future. The seers at BASF looked into their crystal ball last year to come up with their "Three- to Six-Year Color Trend Forecast."
Car buyers ... will opt for striking, mixed colors that defy the definition of classic colors. New trend-setting colors will no longer fit traditional descriptions like green, blue or gray, requiring instead names that reflect exotic combinations of colors and effects, such as 'petrol-gray' and 'greige,' a combination of gray and beige.
Silver will "evolve in small and subtle tonal steps" toward more colorful shades and be complemented by other metallic colors like gold and platinum. Red will grow more popular, with buyers looking for "purity, depth and sporty effects" but also being drawn to "more fashionable tints in the coral range." Saturated pastels - whatever those are - "will become a staple in the industry," with "fresh-water blue and blue-greens approaching turquoise will keep growing in popularity."
Paint technologies of the future will offer a broader sensual experience than just a visual one. Matte and 'soft touch' effects will provide a tactile experience ...
But of course, expect the classic combinations to remain. Ferrari is gorgeous in red, Lamborghini in orange, and Lotus Elise in yellow.
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Brawn Over Brains? Or The Other Way Around?
Which do you prefer – a two-seater or a gas-guzzler SUV? Do you like brawn over brains?Daimler AG is poised to offer its 1,800-pound Smart ForTwo for sale in the United States next month. But the German automaker said the orders of the much-anticipated car have gone beyond the production for next year. Is that a good sign or a bad omen?
Daimler Chairman and CEO Dieter Zetsche said Tuesday that more than 30,000 Americans have paid a $99 deposit to buy one of the 1,800-pound two-seat vehicles that get 40 miles per gallon on the highway. The automaker expects to convert 90 percent of those deposits to sales.
"We were totally amazed by the kind of reaction we got," Zetsche said at a breakfast with reporters. "We will not be able to meet the demands here next year."
Smart USA President David Schembri said the company has seen strong interest in Michigan. Over 1,000 Michiganians have paid deposits. The figure makes Michigan one of the top 10 for Smart.
He said the reason for driving a small car alone around town is simple. "If I go out to dinner by myself, I don't order enough food for five people," he said. “A person ordering a vehicle now might be able to get one in late 2008 or 2009, but customers should check with dealerships to see if there are cancellations.”
The Smart ForTwo starts at $11,590 for a very basic model - one without a radio, power steering or air conditioning. The top-of-the-line convertible model with options is $17,440.
David Healy, an auto analyst at Burnham Securities predicted there will be some initial demand for the Smart, but questioned how much sales would grow in the next few years, as other small cars enter the market, including a potential Chinese-made small car. "It's not going to be a financial disaster, but the exchange rate is an issue," Healy said.
Zetsche acknowledged that the expensive euro makes it harder to make a profit on the Smart, which is built in France, but he said the company would make money on the car in the States.
Since the Smart brand debuted in Europe in 1998, the company has sold about 850,000 vehicles. In Canada, the company sold more than 10,000 in the first 2 1/2 years; it expected to sell only 3,000.
"When you just want to go from to A to B with a lot of fun and don't want to carry three persons, Smart gives you everything you can ask for," Zetsche said. He added the only car he personally owns in Europe is a Smart that he uses to go shopping and downtown.
Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, who test drove the Smart car Tuesday, said his group was looking forward to putting the car through its crash tests. Daimler expects the car to receive four star-crash ratings.
Daimler is preparing for the first Smart sales here as a bill is moving through Congress that would hike fuel economy mandates to an industry average of 35 mpg. Zetsche said that Daimler supports the legislation. He said Mercedes-Benz is working to cut the weight of all its models by 5% and will eventually produce hybrid versions of all models.
"We are part of the problem," Zetsche said, noting that passenger cars account globally for 12% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions.
Monday, December 3, 2007
Chicago Water District Uses Electric Vehicles Today!
Among the biggest water authorities in the country, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago has confirmed that it has acquired 30 all-electric, low-speed MILES ZX40 cars as a component in its plan to rip fleet releases and expenses.
According to my source, the acquirement signifies the biggest acquisition of MILES electric vehicles by a government organization. It is projected that these electric vehicles will eradicate a massive amount of greenhouse gas emissions annually in the process.
“The District prides itself on protecting the environment and utilizing our resources in the best public interest, and that mission extends to our fleet decisions. In reviewing alternative fuel vehicle options, we feel these all-electric cars are an excellent choice in terms of emissions and overall costs, while meeting our practical needs for safety and comfort,” says District President Terrence J. O'Brien.
“A lot of fleets are looking for vehicle alternatives to reduce their overall carbon footprints, and we believe that our all-electric vehicles – which cost less and pollute less than hybrids or ethanol-powered vehicles – are the best fit. We’re proud to help one of the nation’s largest environmental engineering agencies cut costs and eliminate hundreds of thousands of pounds of annual fleet emissions,” says Miles Electric Vehicles CEO Jeff Boyd.
Toyota Reports Environmental Goals Progress
Toyota adheres to its solid green credo. And to share how far the automaker has gone with its commitment to greener environment, it has earlier reported the progress of its environmental goals.The automaker issued its first update on progress toward the goals and targets in the company’s new 2011 Environmental Action Plan (EAP). The 2007 North America Environmental Report details Toyota’s efforts in 6 key areas of impact: Environmental Management, Energy and Climate Change, Air Quality, Substances of Concern, Recycling and Improved Resource Use, and Cooperation with Society.
“Toyota’s approach to reducing CO2 is far broader than just a commitment to fuel economy standards,” said Dian Ogilvie, senior vice president of Toyota Motor North America. “We take these targets very seriously. Our environmental reports show a consistent history of achieving -- and in many cases exceeding -- our targets. We believe that the combination of actions we are taking will all play a part in meeting the challenges we all face.”
2007 North American Environmental Report Highlights
Environmental Management: Toyota facilities in North America have Environmental Management Systems (EMSs) in place to check that our activities comply with all federal, state, provincial, territorial and local requirements, as well as our own internal best practices. Our employees receive training in EMS awareness and in related topics.
Toyota works closely with suppliers as they undertake a range of activities, such as building an EMS, eliminating substances of concern, contributing to Toyota’s life-cycle assessment program, reducing CO2 emissions in logistics operations, and reducing packaging.
Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships are provided with resources such as online training courses to help manage service-related waste streams and comply with environmental and safety regulatory requirements. We also work with dealerships to promote greener building practices.
Energy & Climate Change: Toyota has reduced its total energy use at our North American manufacturing operations by 22% since FY2002, and has targeted a 27% reduction by 2011 compared to 2002.
Toyota is continuously improving the fuel efficiency of its full line vehicle fleet, and remains committed to hybrid technology as a key component for improving fuel efficiency and environmental impact. Every 100 gallons (378 liters) of gasoline not consumed saves nearly one metric ton of CO2. As of September 2007, estimates show North American Toyota hybrid drivers had saved over 319 million gallons (1.2 billion liters) of gasoline, and avoided over 2.7 million metric tons of CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. (1)
Air Quality: The most significant emissions from Toyota’s manufacturing facilities are Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from painting operations. We are on track to meet our five-year target to reduce VOCs from our body painting operations to a corporate average of 14.0g/m2 by FY2011.
At our Fremont, California vehicle assembly plant, painting bumpers with a water-based primer has contributed to a 50% reduction in VOC emissions over the last two years. For the 2007 model year, 90% of all Toyota, Lexus and Scion cars are certified as ULEV (ultra low emission vehicle) or better.
Substances of Concern: Toyota is focusing on the phase-out of four heavy metals – mercury, cadmium, lead and hexavalent chrome – from parts and accessories as well as phasing out VOCs in the automobile cabin that can cause the “new car smell.” We are working to be in compliance with voluntary standards regarding methods to reduce VOCs in vehicle cabin interiors set by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) by 2011.
Recycling and Improved Resource Use: Toyota plants in North America have maintained their zero waste-to-landfill status and have exceeded Toyota’s new five-year Environmental Action Plan target by reducing nonsaleable waste (nonhazardous waste plus materials Toyota pays to have recycled) to 28 kg/vehicle.
Toyota introduced soy oil-based polyurethane foam for passenger seats in both the Corolla and the Lexus RX, lowering the amount of petroleum used for production and reducing the carbon footprint the vehicles.
For more information on Toyota’s environmental initiatives visit http://www.toyota.com/.
It is true. The future will be green thanks to automakers like Toyota.
[credit: World-Wire.com]
